Kim Richardson has been in the Transportation Industry for 34 years. Currently he is the President of Kim Richardson Transportation Specialists Inc. a family owned and operated business which has won multiple awards. Under the KRTS group of businesses is Transrep Inc. and The Rear View Mirror. Kim is currently on the board of directors for the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI), on the board of directors with Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC), on the membership committee of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), on the advisory board of the Women’s Trucking federation of Canada (WTFC), and in the past, Chairman of the Board for the Truck Training Association of Ontario (TTSAO) and Chairman of the Board for the Allied Trade Division of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA). Kim is a proud Husband, Dad, Grandpa and loves his community of Caledonia. He can be reached at krichardson@krway.com or phone 1-800-771-8171 ext. 201.

Columnists,Kim Richardson |
April 12, 2023
The driver shortage continues to be the number one concern in our industry for most. With our business ventures we get to talk to all types of companies who have driver issues. We attend many events annually and as a buddy says “you can’t swing a cat around a room by the tail without hitting someone who is talking about the driver shortage.” He is a funny guy and smart too.
Here are a couple of my thoughts about recruitment;
  • For most companies there are mixed messages about their driving opportunities. Every team member should be delivering the same message. Keep it short, write it down, be sure everyone understands the message.
  • Tighter hiring criteria leads to higher retention. The insurance industry is tightening things up but I think it goes further than that. Once you identify your companies ideal driver set the criteria and shoot for it every day.
  • 20% of the driver turnover is the same drivers moving from company to company. This is their DNA and stay away from them. There probably not going to change.
  • In some cases I think recruiters are mislead with how their paid. Many are compensated for putting people in the seats. I don’t disagree with this but I think they need to be compensated on the backend as well for the drivers that they recruit and stay for a year.
  • More attention needs to be paid to the drivers and their recruiting efforts. Satisfied drivers who are looked after and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve can be one of your companies best recruitment tools. Remember, referrals don’t drive your business, drivers do.
  • Be innovative, innovation needs to be a habit not a goal.
Some of the brightest minds in the transportation industry will gather April 27th at the National Recruiting and Retention Symposium in Brampton Ontario at the Lionhead Golf and Conference Centre. The entire event will be chocked with information to better recruit and retain for the transportation Industry and not just the driver. You will take away ideas to improve your company.
Last year we had a terrific event in Truro, Nova Scotia partnering with the Trucking Human Resource Sector Council Atlantic. The majority of those attending were people from recruiting, retention, Human Resources and management. Associations representatives, government and service providers made up the rest of those who attended.
For more information about registration or sponsorship opportunities go to https://transrep.ca/symposium/
I hope to see you there.
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Kim Richardson has been in the Transportation Industry for 34 years. Currently he is the President of Kim Richardson Transportation Specialists Inc. a family owned and operated business which has won multiple awards. Under the KRTS group of businesses is Transrep Inc. and The Rear View Mirror. Kim is currently on the board of directors for the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI), on the board of directors with Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC), on the membership committee of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), on the advisory board of the Women’s Trucking federation of Canada (WTFC), and in the past, Chairman of the Board for the Truck Training Association of Ontario (TTSAO) and Chairman of the Board for the Allied Trade Division of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA). Kim is a proud Husband, Dad, Grandpa and loves his community of Caledonia. He can be reached at krichardson@krway.com or phone 1-800-771-8171 ext. 201.